Hello to All,
A variety of sparrow species made their appearance in Jackson Park. Fox Sparrows were on Wooded Island and in Bobolink Meadow. They are such great ground scrapers! The woodpeckers came through too.
We have been waiting for the Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers to arrive and make a few more hundred holes in tree trunks. The sticky sap helps the warblers to find easy and sweetened bugs to consume on their migration that follows.
Let’s just say, we had a nice Walk; not over stimulating but fun. The weather was far better than last week.
Near the end of our Walk, we were joined by Berthold H., his wife and son Marcus. Marcus cut his teeth birding faithfully with the Wooded Island Regulars. Then he went off to college in Minnesota. He graduated and remained up north. His fascination with owls remains strong. With that in mind, it is very understandable the Minnesota with be the place to be for owls.
BIRDERS: 11. (1) Kim A. a long time, experienced Chicago birder, (2) Jayne C. accompanied Kim A. on today’s birding outing, (3) Bruce McC, (4) Steve B., (5) Yvette C., (6) Gary M. – who checked out the harbors before joining us. Reported a couple of Northern Shovelers in the Inner Harbor, with American Coots, and Scaup. (7) David P., (8) Catherine G., (9) Jennie S., (10) Karin D., (11) Pat D.
TIME: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
PLACES: Wooded Island, Lagoons, Soccer Field & Bobolink Meadow
DISTANCE: 2 miles
WEATHER: Sunny. Temperature 48 -50 F. Wind mostly calm. SSE 5 - 18 mph
TOTAL SPECIES COUNT: 37
Canada Goose 15 Known to nest in Jackson Park, favoring islet habitat.
Wood Duck 5 A female was perched 20 feet up in a tree along the NW end of the East Lagoon
Mallard 7 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Red-breasted Merganser 7
Pied-billed Grebe 3 East Lagoon. Seen from Bobolink Meadow along Wooded Island shore.
Mourning Dove 1 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Ring-billed Gull 2
Caspian Tern 2 Patrolling the lagoons. First of Year sighting for W.I. birders.
Double-crested Cormorant 2
Cooper's Hawk 2 Known to nest in Jackson Park and Hyde Park neighborhood.
The first hawk was observed walking on the grass at the north end of W. I. (Wooded Island) very near the North Bridge. The hawk remained preoccupied with its ambulation on the ground. After several minutes, the hawk took flight over the West Lagoon. This hawk has mighty long bare legs and will chase small birds into and under bushes. The small birds nearby froze in place until the hawk took its' leave.
The second hawk, we think was different because of the brown head feathers. It was eating a feathered prey on a branch at the SW corner of W.I.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 3
Downy Woodpecker 2 Known to nest in Jackson Park
Hairy Woodpecker 1 Known to nest in Jackson Park
Northern Flicker 3
Eastern Phoebe 6 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
American Crow 1 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Black-capped Chickadee 2 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Brown Creeper 5
Golden-crowned Kinglet 3
Hermit Thrush 1 Spotted on Wooded Island by Bruce McC
American Robin 8 Known to nest in Jackson Park
Brown Thrasher 2 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
European Starling 5 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Chipping Sparrow 1
Field Sparrow 1
American Tree Sparrow 1
Fox Sparrow 12 On Wooded Island and along the fence in Bobolink Meadow.
Dark-eyed Junco 10
Song Sparrow 3 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Swamp Sparrow 4 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Eastern Towhee 2
Eastern Meadowlark 1 Spotted by Kim A. and others in flight over the golf driving range.
Red-winged Blackbird 4 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Brown-headed Cowbird 2 Known to place eggs in other bird's nest in Jackson Park.
Common Grackle 3 Known to nest in Jackson Park.
Northern Cardinal 3 Known to nest in Jackson Park
House Sparrow 1 Known to nest in Jackson Park
This is a group report, with many birders contributing to the list. Most of the birds were seen by at least several or all of the birders.
Corrections, additions and comments are welcome.
Recordings are not used to attract birds.
This report will be documented on eBird as a group report for the Wooded Island Bird Walks.Weekly, every Saturday, weather permitting.
The Walks are free and open to one and all. Newcomers are warmly welcomed.
Many species are seen.
Bring binoculars, field guides, and dress for the weather.
Start at 8:00 a.m. covers a distance of two miles. Birders walk counterclockwise around the Columbia Basin (North Lagoon) onto Wooded Island. Exiting Wooded Island at the south end, the birders walk along the soccer field and enter the south end of Bobolink Meadow. The Meadow’s path leads to the Music Bridge and back to the East Parking Lot. In late fall, winter and early spring, the birders check for birds on the lakefront and Outer Harbor near LaRabida Hospital, and the Inner Harbor.
Metered parking is available in the East Parking Lot that is accessible from South Lake Shore Drive. There is a Stop Light at Science Drive. This Stop Light is approximately 200 yards south of the major intersection with signs for Museum of Science and Industry. Make a turn at the 57th Street and Science Drive Stop Light towards the Museum. Turn Left (south) at the intersection of Science Drive and Columbia Drive. Go through the parking lot to the west end.
Birders meet in the southwest corner of the East Parking Lot.
Parking and Lots: The East Parking Lot is preferred. There is also unmetered parking along Stony Island Avenue from 56th to 59th Street.
You do not need to be a member of Chicago Audubon to participate.
For details and directions, contact Pat Durkin at pat.durkin@comcast.net.
Everyone is welcome!